Chesterfield Township police hunt for assailant

Chesterfield Township policed are looking for a 23-year-old man who assaulted and threatened to kill his former girlfriend before managing to break loose from police early Friday.

“We’re still looking for him,” Chesterfield Township Detective Sgt. Deron Myers said late Friday morning. “This man is from Reese, Michigan, and he is to be considered extremely dangerous.”

Myers said anyone who comes in contract with Jonathan Elbers is advised to leave him alone and call police. Myers said he choked his ex-girlfriend and threatened to put her into a large Christmas tree bag, put her in the back of his pickup truck and shoot her.

Myers said Chesterfield Township police were called to the woman’s house at 1:05 a.m. on Friday from relatives of the woman living in Florida. The victim’s mother told police she feared her daughter was in danger because her ex-boyfriend was at her home on Nicolette Drive and is considered dangerous.

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Chesterfield officers rushed to the house and were met by the victim’s sister, Myers said there were no lights on in the house and there was no indication anyone was at home.

“Officers started checking the house and went from room to room. As they were calling out the woman’s name they heard screams, “Help me! Help me!”

Myers said they walked downstairs and saw Elbers on the steps bleeding profusely from the head. When they tried to question him, he fought with the officers.

Elbers managed to break loose and run from the home. Police and a tracking dog searched the area but could not find him.

The woman told police Elbers showed up unannounced at her house and dragged her to the basement. He was tying her hands and placing her in the large plastic bag when she heard Chesterfield Township upstairs.

“She told us Elbers was going to put her in the back of his truck and shoot her in the in the back of her head,” Myers said. “She managed to get away by slugging him in the head with a porcelain statue which stunned him.”

Myers said police searched the entire area around Nicolette Street and 23 Mile road but could not find him. Myers said police found Elbers’ truck on Nicolette Street near the woman’s house.

“We also found a rifle and some duct tape on the front seat,” Myers said.

Elbers doesn’t have any relatives or friends living in the area. Police said he likely is on foot and people should make sure their vehicles and property are secured.

Myers said Elbers’ cell phone was found in his vehicle. He has a minor criminal history with no history of violence.